There is a huge choice of mechanical cranes

Cranes are a common sight these days but have you ever wondered about the different types? There are so many different cranes which are capable of lifting quite incredible loads. Some are mobile and some are fixed but one thing is for sure, if they are not properly looked after and maintained, they will fail and could cause a devastating accident.

A crane is a tower or derrick that is equipped with cables and pulleys that are used to lift and lower material. They are commonly used in the construction industry and in the manufacturing of heavy equipment. Cranes for construction are normally temporary
structures, either fixed to the ground or mounted on a purpose built vehicle.

They can either be controlled from an operator in a cab that travels along with the crane, by a push button pendant control station, or by radio type controls. The crane operator is ultimately responsible for the safety of the crews and the crane.

Mobile Cranes

The most basic type of crane consists of a steel truss or telescopic boom mounted on a mobile platform, which could be a rail, wheeled, or even on a cat truck. The boom is hinged at the bottom and can be either raised or lowered by cables or hydraulic cylinders.

Telescopic Crane
This type of crane offers a boom that consists of a number of tubes fitted one inside of the other. A hydraulic mechanism extends or retracts the tubes to increase or decrease the length of the boom. Click here to continue

Further reading

What are the different types of cranes

Jib cranes

A guide to construction cranes